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Dubai is one of the swankiest destinations in the world. With five-star hotels, restaurants, theme parks, and high-end shopping malls, Dubai invites an array of tourists who can splurge! Modern shopping malls aren’t the only draw for shoppers here; the city also has a collection of traditional markets, offering travellers an authentic Middle Eastern experience. If you’ve decided to do some shopping here in Dubai, here’s how you can go about it.
Traditional markets
Most shopping guides will tell you that you need to hit the shopping malls first, but those who want to experience the real Dubai should visit traditional markets. There’s a variety of souks selling a wealth of things from clothes to gold to perfumes.
Dubai Gold Souk
With nearly 400 shops lining the narrow alleyways, Dubai Gold Souk is located by Dubai Creek. You can find any piece of jewellery here. Millions of locals and foreigners visit the souk in search of a good bargain. Haggling is a skill you need to have if you are to shop here. Dubai Gold Souk is also the largest gold market in the world.
Textile Souk
Found opposite Dubai Creek, the Textile Souk is where you can find some of the finest clothing items. From tailormade clothes to fine satins to silks, you can find a diverse selection of textiles here. The shops here are packed with a variety of fine textiles, and the expert dressmakers will measure you up and have what you want ready in a few days.
Ripe Market
Located in the Police Academy Park, Ripe Market is open on Fridays and Saturdays during the winter months; you can visit the market in the summer months at the Times Square Centre. A collection of local fruits and vegetables are on sale at Ripe Market. Vendors bring locally grown fresh produce into the market for sale. The market also hosts various family-friendly events.
ARTE – The Maker’s Market
A place for creators and artists in the city, the Maker’s Market sells a range of artworks, all sourced from the local talent pool. The market was established by Miriam Walsh to provide local artists with a place where they can get a good value for their hard work. Apart from paintings and sculptures, you can find a range of baked goods at the market as well.
Dubai Flea Market
There’s no specific location for Dubai Flea Market; the market keeps moving around the city. The market has about 300 stalls, and only preloved items are sold here.
Perfume Souk
To engulf yourself in the authentic scent of Arabia, visit Perfume Souk. The souk is located in Bur Dubai, next to Dubai Creek. Perfume Souk has a history of 40 years, and the narrow alleyways stuffed with small stalls sell a variety of small perfume bottles, solid perfumes, and incense sticks.
Shopping malls
For a high-end shopping experience, you should visit Dubai’s shopping malls. As pointed out by Shopping in Focus, you can find anything and everything at these shopping malls.
The Dubai Mall
The world’s largest shopping mall, the Dubai Mall, should be at the top of your list. With around 1,200 retail shops selling everything you can find under the sky, the Dubai Mall brings you an experience like no other. You’ll see that you can find the same brand at several shops, and the mall also houses an ice rink, an aquarium, and a cinema.
Boxpark
Wedged between Jumeirah and Al Wasl, Boxpark is an outdoor shopping centre with numerous small shops. The place features 14 concept stores and a variety of retailers housed inside shipping containers. You’ll also find a cinema here as well as a number of restaurants serving delicious food!
Outlet Village
For good bargains, visit Outlet Village. This is one of the few places where you can buy branded items at low prices. Kate Spade, Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, and Tumi are a few brands on offer. The design of the shopping centre is influenced by San Gimignano, a medieval hill town in Tuscany.
Other shopping malls to visit
The array of shopping malls in Dubai includes City Walk, Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai Marina Mall, Golden Mile Galleria, Dragon Mart, Mall of the Emirates, and BurJuman – make sure you have time for these places too.
